United States Attorney Mark A. Klaassen announced that David Peter Vier, 63, of Granite Falls, Washington, was sentenced on October 22, 2018, to serve 15 years in prison for transporting two minors, with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, from Washington to Wyoming. After serving his prison sentence, Vier will be under court-ordered supervision for 20 years. Vier was also ordered to pay a $5,000 assessment under the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act. The conviction further requires Vier to register as a sex offender in the places where he resides, where he is an employee, and where he is a student, under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).

On January 19, 2018, Vier encountered two female runaways, ages 12 and 14, in Seattle, Washington. The girls were requesting a ride to Wichita, Kansas, and Vier agreed to transport them approximately half way to Little America, Wyoming. During the trip, Vier bought the girls makeup and made comments of sexual nature. Vier stopped at a remote location in Oregon where he had sexual contact with both of the minors. Vier then told the girls they would engage in sexual intercourse after they arrived in Wyoming.

Wyoming law enforcement were actively looking for the minors after being contacted by a concerned citizen in Kansas who indicated the girls were in a dangerous situation. Upon arriving to Little America, Wyoming, the girls immediately sought help. Employees of a local restaurant promptly contacted law enforcement during the evening of January 20, 2018, which resulted in the minors being recovered and Vier being taken into custody.

"This case illustrates the vital role the public plays in helping the government protect the most vulnerable in our community. With the assistance of concerned citizens, law enforcement was able to rescue the children in this case and our office was able to hold the offender responsible for his actions," said U.S. Attorney Klaassen

United States District Court Judge Alan Johnson imposed the sentence. This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole M. Romine of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Wyoming.

Anyone who suspects instances of human trafficking are encouraged to call the FBI or the Human Trafficking Hotline. The Human Trafficking Hotline may be reached by phone at 1-888-373-7888, by text at 233733, or by online reporting at https://humantraffickinghotline.org/.

Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, via its toll-free 24-hour hotline, 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) or by its CyperTipline at https://report.cybertip.org.